Mr. Manish Kothari, Vice President of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), visited the Asian Institute of Technology AIT on19 January 2026.
The purpose of the visit was to explore potential collaborative initiatives between AIT and FIDIC, with a focus on education, knowledge, and professional development in the engineering and consulting fields.
Welcome Meeting and Discussions at AIT
Mr. Kothari was welcomed to the AIT campus and took part in a formal program that included welcome remarks, presentations, and discussions between AIT and FIDIC representatives.
The discussions focused on possible areas of collaboration between the two institutions and ways to strengthen cooperation through knowledge sharing and institutional engagement.
The visit also included an overview of AIT’s background, group photos, and a guided tour of AIT facilities, which gave Mr. Kothari a broader understanding of AIT’s academic and research environment.
After exploring the AI lab, CSI Bangkok and AIT Solutions, Mr. Kothari met with AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li to take collaborative discussions further.
CSI Bangkok Office visit
As part of the AIT program, Mr. Kothari visited CSI Bangkok. He was welcomed by Mr. Amir Izhar, Director of Innovation, CSi Bangkok. The delegation also included Dr. Bindu N. Lohani (member of AIT Board of Trustee and Former VP of the Asian Development Bank), Ms. Sirima Sirimattayanan from the Office of International Affairs AIT, Mr. Karma Rana from the Office of the Institute Secretary AIT.
During the visit, Mr. Kothari toured CSI Bangkok’s office spaces, meeting rooms, and the cafeteria.
The tour provided an overview of the organization’s working environment and facilities.
Introduction to CSI Bangkok’s Vision and Work
During the visit, Mr. Amir Izhar introduced CSI Bangkok, starting from its early conceptualization and long-term vision. He explained CSI Bangkok’s services, key projects, and software solutions. Mr. Amir also highlighted how education, knowledge, and technology form the core pillars of the organization.
Mr. Kothari showed strong interest in CSI Bangkok’s initiatives and was actively engaged throughout the discussion, especially in Artificial Intelligence (AI), which Mr. Amir addressed in detail.
The exchange led to open and constructive discussions on the role of knowledge and technology in the Asia-Pacific engineering industry.
About Mr. Manish Kothari
Mr. Manish Kothari is actively involved in professional organizations worldwide and currently serves as Vice President of FIDIC.
He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sheladia Associates Inc., an international consulting firm based in the United States.
He has more than 30 years of experience working on infrastructure projects in the US and globally.
Before joining Sheladia Associates, he worked with Bechtel Corporation in the US and D2 Consult GmbH in Austria.
Mr. Kothari holds B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in civil engineering from the University of Michigan and has received multiple professional awards, including the WTCI Business Leadership Award in 2015.
Looking Ahead
Mr. Kothari’s visit marked an important step in strengthening collaborations between CSI Bangkok, AIT, and FIDIC. The discussions throughout the day reflected a shared interest in advancing education, knowledge, and innovation in the industry.
